Chapter Five

CAMILA

"Dr. Camila?"

Camila jerked back to the present. Eric was watching her, his phone still in his hand, that wallpaper glowing between them.

"Are you alright?" His voice was different. Concerned, not cold.

"I'm fine." Her voice sounded far away. "I just... I need some air."

But as she walked out of the conference room, her hands were shaking.

That dress. That white dress from the hospital.

It looked exactly like the one in his wallpaper.

Why?

>>>>>>At her office,

Her hands shaking slightly as she set down her laptop. The meeting had gone well better than expected but Eric's question haunted her.

"Have I seen you before?" He asked her twice already.

She'd been asking herself the same thing since the hospital. Three weeks. Gone. The doctors said it was the drug, whatever they'd slipped into her drink one night. Rohypnol, maybe. Something that erased her like she'd never existed in that time.

She pulled out her journal, the one her therapist insisted she keep. Dates, notes, fragments of what others told her happened.

March 15: Worked late on cardiovascular trials

March 16: ???

March 17-April 5: Nothing

April 6: Woke up in hospital. No memory. No explanation.

She sighed.

And that wallpaper on Eric's phone. The woman in white, turning away.

Why did it feel like looking in a mirror?

Her phone rang and she picked after glancing at the caller.

"Hey girl! How have you been doing over there? How's your first day?" Evie said over the phone. Her voice mixed with happiness. She must be really happy that she kicked her out of her comfort zone.

"Where do you want me to sleep, Evie? I will be done with work and I've never done anything impromptu like this. Just finished with a meeting earlier to meet the rest of the members. All looking like i shouldn't be there with them in the first place." She replied, standing at the glass that shows the buzzling city. So lovely.

"So did you meet him? The boss." Ignoring her question.

"Yes, I did. So the house, don't skip my question."

"Okay! Your apartment isn't ready yet. So......"

" Wait what? You don't expect me to sleep in my office or something and I'm not going to a goddamn hotel." She tried to shook off that idea of going to an hotel, that idea has always cringe her and make her feel weird and uncomfortable. She doesn't know why, how it started but maybe her body remembers whatever happens that doesn't want her near hotels.

"Don't worry, Mila. Mr Dante will get everything settled for you. I'm in charge too so don't worry. So, guess what?" She could picture Evie's grin.

"What? You finally dumped that merlin of a guy?"

"Wow! You really must hate Colton. Really. I will forgive you on that, don't worry. So, I'm in New York right now." She spilled, giggling afterwards. "Just landed to come and see you, Mila and to settle your housing which is 20% reason."

"What's the 80%?" She yawned, returning to her desk and sits on it.

"There's a party in town, and I'm invited and to also bring a friend which is you."

"I'm not partying this night. I have a lot of things to do. Come settle my housing stuffs and go back to wherever party you're going. Count me out."

"It’s a billionaires’ party!”

"How'd you get invited to a billionaires' party?" Camila asked suspiciously.

Evie hesitated for just a second. "Family connections. Don't worry about it." Evie squealed, obviously dancing around wherever she is.

"I'm not coming. Wait ....I thought you had Colton. Does he know?"

"There's nothing wrong in having little fun outside of a relationship girl. You know why i'm dating him anyways so it shouldn't surprise you. Girl, I'm outside your office. Get down here and come change into this sexy gown for me and lets go party. I fucking promise, your apartment will be ready till then."

Camila groaned, her hands over face as she reluctantly stepped out of the office with her work bag. She got out of the building and saw Evie waving happily at her with a bag dangling around her arm.

"Baby girl, Let's go party." She drew her closer.

"I never said I'm going."

"Whatever it is, I'm dragging you there, my love." She pushed her towards the waiting cab.

ERIC

 Eric was playing with his phone. A message popped into his screen and he opened it to read.

"Eric, you need to come to this damn party tonight. Lots of girls are here. Beautiful ones and just the way you like them, dude. Don't be a dick! We need to celebrate Stephen's birthday." He read and rolled his eyes.

Nolan. That fool.

True, he almost forgot about it.

He got to his bedroom and Watson, his golden retriever, nosed his hand. "Yeah, buddy. I know." He scratched the dog's ears. "You want to go for a walk, but I've got this damn party." The room was spotless. Expensive. Empty. His eyes caught the photo on his desk. His parents on their wedding day. His father's hand on his mother's waist. Both of them smiling like they'd found the secret to happiness. They'd died ten years ago. And Eric had been running ever since.

He sat in his bed and begin dial Nolan's contact.

"Good evening, my king." Nolan teased, before bursting into laughter. "King of the jungle." He laughed again.

"Fuck you! Where the hell are you?"

"Your majesty, you didn't see my message? I think that's enough to tell you my location." The noise background causing him to raise his voice loud like they were in the same noisy room. Well, fuck that.

"Okay."

"My king, are you coming? Step......."

"Call me my king again, I will come over there and cut off your fucking dick." He interrupted.

"Yes your highness." He never listens. There's no point correcting him.

 "I'm coming over there. I need to see Stephen, text me the location. Will you?"

"Okay man. Send it to you in a second."

The call ended and almost immediately, a message popped in with the location details.

>>>>>>>>>

CAMILA

   "You going to get late for this damn party if you don't change fast! This is the opportunity to see rich fucking men! Oh my! I'm going to take home a dude." Evie squealed.

"I never wanted to go in the first place. So, don't fucking rush me and let me do my thing." Camila retorted, struggling with her dress. "And aren't you supposed to help me with this tight dress you got me. I don't think this is even my size." She stood firmly at the mirror and looked at her reflection.

The orange dress had pushed her boobs out, almost spilling from its comfort place. The length of it stopping at her thighs and made her felt exposed looking at her legs to feet wearing silver sandals. Her hair tied up in a messy bun.

Okay, this is perfect, I think. She thought.

"Oops! Let me help you." Evie helped with the zip and all set. They walked out of the small clothing store that had allowed them to change into their outfits and boarded the cab.